The QS World University Rankings by Subject, compiled by the company that also produces the annual QS World University Rankings, highlights the world’s top universities for the study of 48 subjects.

Taylor’s University Executive Dean, Neethiahnanthan Ari Ragavan, said the competition was stiff.

“Our academic reputation, strong engagement with our local and foreign industry partners and significant investment in research have been key in our rise,” he said, adding that the university targeted the subject to be in the top 10 next year.

UM Cice-Chancellor, Datuk Abdul Rahim Hashim, said the rankings are a good gauge of the varsity’s progress.

“The rankings reflects the international recognition of the quality of UM’s faculties and its graduates,” he said.

The International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) climbed 15 places to 31st for Theology, Divinity and Religious Studies.

IIUM Rector, Prof Datuk Seri Zaleha Kamaruddin, said the improvement served as a boost in leaving its mark in the global academic platform.

“We will continue to build on our reputation and enhance our research, publication and citation record,” she said, adding that the faculty aspired to break into the top 20 next year.

Universiti Sains Malaysia was placed 43rd this year for Mineral and Mining Engineering.

“In 2014, we only had one subject that entered the rankings, followed by two in 2015, three in 2016, 11 last year and 10 this year.

“While overall it is one subject less compared to 2017, it is nevertheless a strong outcome and consistency shown. What’s important now is for our universities to analyse this outcome, benchmark against other universities and look towards continuous improvement to provide the best education possible,” he said.

QS Research Director, Ben Sowter, said the investment in higher education in the country is paying off and rankings are capturing excellence.

“Malaysia has been steadily rising in rankings as reflected in our World University Rankings in June last year.

“So while there has been a minimal decline in this rankings by subject, the World University Rankings shows a positive and solid performance of the leading local universities,” he said.

In total, he said, 162 departments at 17 Malaysian universities are ranked.

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